The Warriors are short-handed in the frontcourt, but that might not be the case for much longer.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr said center James Wiseman, currently out with a sprained wrist, is right on schedule in his recovery.
"He's coming along, so we don't anticipate he'll be out much more for another week or so," Kerr said Friday on 95.7 The Game's "Damon, Ratto & Kolsky." "That's great news, and then when he does come back, we're just going to continue to help him develop."
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
In the absence of Wiseman and any other true centers, Warriors pushed the pace and embraced small-ball in Thursday's blowout win over the Dallas Mavericks. Wiseman's a rare 7-footer whose skill set fits like a glove playing that style, but Kerr said Golden State doesn't want to overwhelm the 19-year-old upon his return to the lineup.
The Warriors are trying to balance Wiseman's development with pursuing a playoff spot, Kerr said, and striking that will become more "complex" as he tries to find the right lineup combinations.
"We think we can do both, and within all of that, we've gotta find ways to help James understand the NBA game more and more each day," Kerr continued. "And if that means adding something or trying to fit him into a different scheme, then we'll throw that at him. And if we don't think he's ready for that, then we won't."
RELATED: Draymond Green has zero regrets about ripping Pistons' McGruder
Golden State Warriors
Wiseman is expected to return sooner than Kevon Looney (sprained ankle), so he could regain his spot in the starting lineup out of necessity. The rookie averaged 13.5 points and 6.3 rebounds in four games off the bench before sustaining the injury, compared to 11.1 points and 6.1 rebounds in 16 games as a starter.
No matter what role he assumes, Wiseman is going to keep learning, and that will continue on the court sooner rather than later.